Analysis

Qatar’s Commitment to Science & Education

Qatar continues to be committed to advancing science and technology research. Several decades ago, Qatar’s economy was heavily reliant on fishing and pearl diving. This has dramatically changed due to the discovery of one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves. Yet, the leaders of Qatar have recognized the dangers of relying on a single commodity. As a result, the nation is working to build a knowledge-based economy.

One such example of the nation’s push to both diversify and strengthen its economy can be seen through the Qatar Foundation’s Science & Technology Park. The mission of the national agency is to “execut[e] applied research and deliver commercialized technologies in four areas: Energy, Environment, Health Sciences, and Information and Communication Technologies.” The agency can be thought of as a national incubator for the upcoming generation in the above-listed fields.

Qatar’s commitment to science and education can also be seen within the nation’s entertainment sector. Instead of prizing entertainment over educational content, the nation leverages the allure of talent competitions and pairs it with science. The show “Stars of Science” is a combination of a reality TV show, talent contest, and educational broadcast.

One of the judges of “Stars of Science,” Dr. Khalid Al-Ali, has stated:

“Now I am a proud father and a proud husband myself. I treasure my children, and I want to bring them up in such a way that they appreciate the power of innovation… I am equally passionate about inspiring young people around the region to be interested in the problem-solving potential of science and technology.”

Dr. Ali, a Silicon Valley executive and former NASA researcher, shares this perspective with many of the leading figures in Qatari society. Another judge on “Stars of Science”, Professor Fouad Mrad, has stated, “Without a culture of productive innovation, our communities will stumble in reaching the knowledge-based economies, even with the best policies, infrastructure, and support.”

Qatar continues to invest in education and has illustrated its commitment to the pursuit of knowledge. The nation has managed to attract six of the leading U.S. universities (Georgetown, Northwestern, Texas A&M, VCU, Carnegie Mellon, and Cornell) to Doha.

The Qatar-America Institute provides information on the U.S.-Qatari strategic relationship in an effort to enhance the vital partnership between Washington, D.C. and Doha, as well as the enduring friendship among the Qatari and American people.